7 Ways To Rock Parenthood And Boost Your Child’s Self-Esteem

Parenting is full of highs and lows, successes and failures, wins and loses. I've been there! Here are 7 tips I have found to be some of the most important to help even the keel and tip life as a parent more towards the positive side!

#1 Show Up

It's busy days for most families as a rule nowadays. Whether it's a two-parent or single-parent home, everybody has a lot on their plates. Work and other duties can often push other plans aside. If you say your going to the playground and time gets away from you it's a good idea to at least set aside some time for pure fun to make up for it the disappointment. If your children play a sport and expect to see you at their game, be there. Children remember!

#2 Let Them Know You Know What Is Important To Them

If your child needs a few minutes of one-on-one time before bedtime - to catch up, to giggle, to read - set aside this time. If your child is mindful of the clock, be on time. Whether it's picking them up from school, sports, a friends, being on time builds trust and comfort in kids of all ages.

#3 Teach Financial Responsibility

Every child over 5 has their own table it seems. Years back, a cell phone was the thing to have. No matter the day, there is always the thing out there every child wants. Now, a young child cannot afford a tablet obviously, but they can earn the right to keep it. Chores and taking good care of the item show them it is a privilege to have that item. For older kids, make sure they pay for their phone bill each month. If they can't work outside the home, there is always something they can do: in the home, helping a neighbor, volunteering with younger kids, etc.

#2 Let Them Know You Know What Is Important To Them

If your child needs a few minutes of one-on-one time before bedtime - to catch up, to giggle, to read - set aside this time. If your child is mindful of the clock, be on time. Whether it's picking them up from school, sports, a friends, being on time builds trust and comfort in kids of all ages.

#3 Teach Financial Responsibility

Every child over 5 has their own table it seems. Years back, a cell phone was the thing to have. No matter the day, there is always the thing out there every child wants. Now, a young child cannot afford a tablet obviously, but they can earn the right to keep it. Chores and taking good care of the item show them it is a privilege to have that item. For older kids, make sure they pay for their phone bill each month. If they can't work outside the home, there is always something they can do: in the home, helping a neighbor, volunteering with younger kids, etc.

#4 Have Fun Together

It's easy to get bogged down in the minutia of daily life. There hardly seem enough hours in some days. Laughing together is a fantastic way to bond, create a lasting memory, and make both child and parent feel good about themselves.

#5 Let Them Know What Is Important to You

The old adage that kids crave boundaries is true. Whether it's TV time for a younger child, phone time for an older child, or good manners in a child of any age, it's vital that what is important to you is clearly known to your child. Expecting your child to follow your rules is one way to make you a parent that shows love.

#6 Give Them Privacy

Every person, adult or child, needs to know that having something they do not want to share is okay. Granted, there are some things you need your child to share with you for their own safety. But, it's also okay to give them some room. Maybe your 7-year-old doesn't want you to watch them play make believe because they don't want to appear a "baby" so they want the door shut. Let them be. Or, your older child leaves their journal out. Let it be.

#7 Ensure They Know You Are Always A Willing, And Calm, Listener

Every stage in a child's life brings it's own set of hurdles for both parents and children. If your child knows that they can come to you with any issue, and you will always stay calm, always be interested, and always listen without judgement, they will talk to you. If they know these to be true from a very young age, it will increase your parent-child bond and will be a major advantage as your child matures towards adulthood.